Editorial: A new front opens for WWII veterans

Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 08:45 PM.

It’s not exactly Anzio, Normandy or Okinawa, but 68 years after the end of World War II, a new front has opened in Washington that is completely political and totally unnecessary.

The National World War II Memorial on the National Mall is a popular tourist spot for visitors to the capital — especially for veterans of that war whose numbers are declining steadily.

For years, entities like Honor Flight and Patriot Flight have taken groups of veterans on free, one-day trips to visit the memorial, as a gesture of gratitude for their service.

However, there’s a problem at the moment. The memorial is part of the National Park Service. The National Park Service is part of the federal government of the United States. The federal government was partially shut down and thousands of government workers furloughed, including those who work at the National Mall, Oct. 1 when Congress failed to reach an agreement on another continuing resolution for Fiscal Year 2014.

That very day, an Honor Flight group of veterans from Mississippi arrived to visit the memorial — which was barricaded and closed. Showing the spirit that helped the U.S. defeat the Axis powers, they pushed through the barricades and other veterans and visitors followed.

Since then, rangers have been posted at the memorial (which is open air and usually unguarded) and the barricades have returned, but access isn’t being limited. Veterans groups have been getting in, pretty much no questions asked, since Oct. 2. Also, the “closed” sign now says, “This National Park Service area is closed except to 1st Amendment activities.” One ranger quoted in news reports said he couldn’t think of any activities not covered by that caveat so he’s telling everyone, “Come on in.”

That hasn’t stopped Republicans looking for leverage against President Obama and Democrats in the government shutdown-debt limit battle from seizing this issue.

It’s not exactly Anzio, Normandy or Okinawa, but 68 years after the end of World War II, a new front has opened in Washington that is completely political and totally unnecessary.

The National World War II Memorial on the National Mall is a popular tourist spot for visitors to the capital — especially for veterans of that war whose numbers are declining steadily.

For years, entities like Honor Flight and Patriot Flight have taken groups of veterans on free, one-day trips to visit the memorial, as a gesture of gratitude for their service.

However, there’s a problem at the moment. The memorial is part of the National Park Service. The National Park Service is part of the federal government of the United States. The federal government was partially shut down and thousands of government workers furloughed, including those who work at the National Mall, Oct. 1 when Congress failed to reach an agreement on another continuing resolution for Fiscal Year 2014.

That very day, an Honor Flight group of veterans from Mississippi arrived to visit the memorial — which was barricaded and closed. Showing the spirit that helped the U.S. defeat the Axis powers, they pushed through the barricades and other veterans and visitors followed.

Since then, rangers have been posted at the memorial (which is open air and usually unguarded) and the barricades have returned, but access isn’t being limited. Veterans groups have been getting in, pretty much no questions asked, since Oct. 2. Also, the “closed” sign now says, “This National Park Service area is closed except to 1st Amendment activities.” One ranger quoted in news reports said he couldn’t think of any activities not covered by that caveat so he’s telling everyone, “Come on in.”

That hasn’t stopped Republicans looking for leverage against President Obama and Democrats in the government shutdown-debt limit battle from seizing this issue.

The Obama administration isn’t without fault, either. It was seeking leverage as well by trying to maximize the impact of the shutdown, but stepped thigh-deep into public relations mud on this one.

Guards may be letting people into the memorial, but there’s no spinning the symbolism of the barricades. The administration could defuse this issue by taking them down, before the shutdown is settled. The other side would, of course, crow “victory,” but that would fizzle after a news cycle if the concession was done in a magnanimous way.

We’re aware other National Park Service facilities remain closed, although some are reopening via state funds. However, we’re not ashamed to say the National World War II Memorial is different and merits special consideration. It doesn’t honor an individual; it honors common men and women who helped save the world by doing uncommon things. It was paid for with their blood and sweat.

A version of this editorial first appeared in the Gadsden Times, a Halifax Media Group newspaper in Alabama.